"There will be more fights ahead. We`ll stick together," the retired Marine Corps general said. "As we look at the future, we`re going to continue to stand by the Iraqi army and the Iraqi people who are fighting this enemy."

He commended the accomplishments of the Iraqi army, saying the force has taken casualties, but has reconstituted itself both with equipment and personnel. After a months-long battle, east Mosul was cleared of ISIS. Now, the coalition-backed Iraqi forces have set their sights on freeing western Mosul.

Mattis Assessing

The secretary, during a stop Sunday in Abu Dhabi, told reporters the Iraq visit would allow him to "get current on the situation there," including on the political situation and the situation with ISIS.

"The only way you can do that is by talking to the people responsible over there on the ground," he said.

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